Machine for preparing music-rollers



(No Model.) 4 sheets-sheet 1.

H. B. MORRIS. MACHINE FOR PREPARING MUSIC ROLLERS. No. 442,130.

Patented Dec; 9, 1890.

IAN/ENTER \NFI'NEEEIEEI QXWMJAM (No Model.) 4-SheetsSheet 2.

H. B. MORRIS. MACHINE FOR PREPARING MUSIC ROLLERS. No. 442,130. Patented Dec. 9, 1890.

INVENTUR WITNESSES QM (5mm. I QPWMJ J LM I us ca, FIIUYMITHO., msHmm-uu, 0. cv

(No Model.) 4 Sheets- -Shet is. H. B. MORRIS. MACHINE FOR PREPARING MUSIG ROLLERS.

No. 442,130. Patented Dec. 9, 1890.

' v E'- X I 1) 7 r I WITNEEEEE- INVENTUR ARM/ (5W.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

H. B. MORRIS I MACHINE FOR PREPARING MUSIC ROLLERS. No. 442,130. Patented Dec. 9; 1890.

WHUIIIIIIIIIIIII 4 mum ull WITNEEEEE INVENTUR GHQ/W8 .M- W M v UNITED STATES HEN RY PATENT OFFICE.

B. MORRIS, OF GENEVA, ASSIGNOR TO THE AUTOPHONE COMPANY,

OF ITHACA, NEW YORK.

MACHINE FOR PREPARING MUSIC-ROLLERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 442,130, dated December 9, 1890. Application filed May 2, 1890. Serial No. 350,372. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY B. MORRIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Geneva, in the county of Ontario and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Machine for Preparing Music-Rollers, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to construct and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to the construction of rollers to be used in connection with mechanical musical instruments in which the music is produced by means of elevations upon the surface of a slowly-turning cylinder, which engage with the keys or other soundproducing parts of the instrument.

The object of my invention is to provide means for cheaply and accurately clothing music-rollers previously prepared with the elevated points and surfaces which are to produce the music by winding narrow strips of sheet metal spirally around said rollers in grooves formed in the surfaces of the rollers, said metallic strips bein; indented upon one edge to form the projecting playing points and surfaces.

My improved machine consists, first, of certain punches and dies automatically operated to cutaway such portions of the edge of an advancing metallic strip as are not needed for music-playing projections; second, of feelerpoints and levers arranged to engage with perforations in a pattern-roller or in a pattern-belt wrapped upon a cylinder and by their engagement with said perforations to actuate the cutting-punches, and, third, of means for winding the prepared metallic strip upon the music-roller so that the projecting surfaces shall be properly located thereon in accordance with the previously-prepared pattern-belt.

In order to fully explain my invention, 1 have illustrated the same with drawings, in which Figure 1 is a general view of my improved machine in front elevation. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, the standard B being removed the better to display the working parts.

Figs. 3,

l, and 5 are enlarged detail views of the clutch mechanism for governing the operation of the cutting-punches. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the punches and their corresponding dies. Fig. 7 is a detail view of a portion of the pattern-roller, showing the forms and arrangement of the perforations in said pattern-roller; and Fig. 8 is a detail view of a music-roller, showing the manner of applying the indented metallic strip to said roller.

I will describe my improved machine as arranged to prepare music-rollers in which the music projections are convolutions of a spiral line.

The principal working parts of myimproved machine are mounted upon a horizontal bedplate A, which is conveniently supported by legs A. Two standards B B are erected upon the bed-plate at opposite sides of said plate. In the upper portion of said standards a shaft C is horizontally journaled. I term this the main shaft of the machine. A drivingpulley may be attached to the main shaft at any convenient point for the purpose of receiving a driving-belt from a motor. 7 v

pon the main shaft C two eccentrics D E are mounted, being fitted loosely upon said shaft, so that through them without revolving them. Said eccentrics are respectively provided with straps D E, which are each furnished with a downwardly-projecting rod D E. Said rods are pivoted, respectively, at their lower ends to the upper portions of two vertically-sliding blocks D E Said sliding blocks are guided in their vertical movements in grooves suitably formed in a standard F, mounted on the bed-plate. To the lower ends of the blocks D E two punches D E are respectively attached, corresponding in form with two dies D E, secured in the upper surface of the bed-plate.

The above-described parts are so arranged that when either of the eccentrics D E is revolved its corresponding block is made to descend, so that the punch attached thereto enters the corresponding die. The eccentrics when at rest are arranged to remain in the position of their highest throw, the punches being thus normally withdrawn from the dies. I will here remark that the eccentrics'and disposed along the the shaft may turn freely their connections above described are ar-I flows: A'small pulley 0 line with the shaft K.

pattern-roller L and m ranged to be operated independently of each other.

I will now describe the mechanism by which the music-roller to be prepared is supported and fed.

'A horizontal shaft G is mounted parallel with the main shaft in journals G G formed upon two of the legs A near the lower portion of said legs. A rigid frame H is journaled upon shaft G, said frame consisting of three upright bars H H H rigidly joined together by a cross-bar H At the lower ends of bars H H H journals are formed, in which shaft G is loosely fitted. The frame H is free to be oscillated on shaft G, but is prevented from sliding longitudinally by collars G G, secured upon the shaf Upon that portion of shaft Gwhich passes through journal G a screw G is formed, a corresponding female screw being formed in the journal. When the'sha'ft G is revolved by means hereinafter to be explained, it is caused by the operation 'ofscrew G to move longitudinally, carrying wan it the frame H, above described. In the upper portion of the frame H journals J J are formed, in which a shaft K is journaled, being disposed parallel to shaft G. A cylindrical roller L is rigidly mounted on shaft K between the journals J J. This is termed the pattern-roller, and will be more particularly described.

The shafts G and 'K are actuated as folis mounted upon the mainshaft C, from which mot-ion is transmitted to a larger pulley G upon shaft G through the medium of a belt C Two sprocket-wheels are fixed, respectively, upon the shafts G and K. Sai

d sprocket-wheels are of equal diameters, and are connected toget-her by a chain M the shaft K being thereby caused to revolve synchronously with shaft G. A disk Kis rigidly attached to the end-of shaft K adjoining the journal J. A

short pin K projects horizontally from the center of-disk K, and a similar pin K is eccentrically located in said disk, projecting therefrom'parallel with the central pin K In the upper 'part of the frame-bar H a screw Nis arranged to screw horizontally in The blank musicroller'Oto be prepared is supported upon the screw N and pin K which enter holes centrallyformed in'the ends of the roller. The eccentricspin K enters a corresponding hole in the adjoining end of the roller, thus causing said'roller to be revolved synchronously with the pattern-roller L.

From the above description it is plain that by the operation of the screw G the shaft G I is caused to move longitudinally when revolved, and that'as the frame H partakes of said longitudinal motion the course of the usic-roller 0 will be a spiral one.

The central bar H of the frame H is provided with a horizontally-projecting arm H is suspended from said arm in order to give the frame H a tendency to swing away from the bed-plate A, for reasons hereinafter to appear. The frame is prevented from swinging beyond a certain point by an arm H projecting downwardly from the arm H and resting normally upon the floor.

I will now describe the mechanism whereby the eccentrics D and E are actuated and gov erned.

Two closely-adjoining longitudinal grooves are formed in the main shaft 0, extending under the eccentrics D and E and being thence prolonged for a suitable distance toward the journal B. Said grooves are semicircular in form,and are filled by two clutchbars P P. Said clutch-bars are closely fitted to the grooves in which they lie, their outer surfaces being formed to coincide in their normal positions with the cylindrical surface of the shaft C. The clutch-bar P extends along the main shaft under the eccentrics D and E. The other clutch-bar P extends-under the eccentric E and not under D. Said clutch-bars are provided with arms P P -at their opposite ends, disposed at right angles with the axes of the clutch-bars and curved inwardly toward shaft 0. Said arms areactuated, when not otherwise restrained, to oscillate outwardly from shaft Oby means of open spiral springs R placed between the arms and shaft. Said oscillation results in partially revolving the corresponding clutchbar. Keyways S are formed in each of the eccentrics D and E, by means of which said eccentrics may be engaged by the clutchbars and caused to revolve with the shaft 0. Two horizontal bars T T, called the feeler-bars, are centrally pivoted to a standard T erected on the bed-plate A. Said feeler-bars extend from a point vertically under the main shaft to points above the patternroller L. Said feeler-bars are disposed in the same vertical plane, the bar T beingabove bar T. tern-roller than bar T, and each feeler-bar is provided at its outer end with a downwardlyprojecting feeler-point T T, ing arranged to. press upon the surface of the pattern-roller and to engage with perforations U U formed therein. The particular arrangementof said feelerv-points and perforations will be further described.

The inner ends of the feeler-bars T T are pivoted,respectively, to two vertical sliding rods V V. Said rods are guided near their lower ends by holes in the bed-plate, through which they pass, and are pressed upward by springs V V attached to the lower sideof the bed-plate. Each of the vertical rodsV V is curved into a hook V at its upper-end, said hooks embracing the shaft 0 and being accurately fitted to said shaftfor a shortdissaid points be-' to move vertically. mally depressed, so that the hooks V are drawn tightly down upon the upper surface of the main shaft. That portion of each clutch-bar lying under its corresponding hook is so formed that its outer surface coincides with the surface of the main shaft 0. The

. object of this construction is to enable the hooks to control the clutch-bars while they are passing under said hooks, preventing them from turning in their seats and engaging with the eccentrics D or E. hen one of the feeler-points T T encounters a perforation in the continuously-revolving pattern-roller L, said point descends into said perforation, thereby causing the opposite end of the feel-' er-bar and the corresponding vertical rod V or V to be elevated by means of the spring or V. The hook V being thus raised above the continuously-revolving main shaft, the corresponding clutch-bar P or P is free to engage with the keyway S in its corresponding eccentric as soon as it arrives under said keyway. The clutch-bar efiects said engagement by rocking in its scat, being so actuated by the spring R, already described. The eccentric so engaged revolves with the main shaft, operating one of the punches D E. Before the revolution of the eccentric is completed the vertical bar V or V is depressed to its normal position by the operation of a cam TV or W, fixed upon the main shaft, which engages with a laterally-projecting block V or V formed upon the bars V V, respectively. The depression of the bar results in the elevation of the feeler-point and its release from engagement with the perforation in the pattern-roller L. I willhere explain that while one of the feeler-points remains engaged with a perforation in the pattern-roller the continuous revolution of said roller results in oscillating the frame H toward the bed -plate A and elevating the weight 11. As soon as said feelerpoint is released from said engagement, the weight causes the frame to oscillate outwardly to its normal position. When the cam Wor W has by its continued revolution released the vertical bar V or V from its depressed position, said bar is prevented from again rising by its feeler-point, which again bearsupon the iniperforate portion of the surface of the pattern-roller L until it encounters another perforation. The outer end of the hook V is beveled inwardly, so as to en gage and return the clutch-bar to its normal position. The eccentric is thus disengaged from the main shaft and does not again revolve until the hook- V has been again elevated and the clutch-bar released, as above described. During the revolution of shaft 0 the clutch-bar is retained in its normal position by the cocentric which encircles it.

The clutch-bars above described are retained in their seats in the main shaft by a collar X, encircling said shaft. The portions of the clutch-bars under said collar and that The rods V V are nor{ part of clutch-barP passing under the eccentricE are beveled away, so that said bars may oscillate freely under the collar and so that bar P can never engage with eccentric E.

The music-roller O is previously prepared by cutting in its surface a shallow spiral groove 0. Said groove corresponds in width with the thickness of the sheet metal which is to be wound therein. Said metal, in the form of a narrow strip Y, is led across the bed-plate, passing over the dies D and E its forward end being secured to the musicroller by nailing or otherwise. The stripY is narrowed for a distance corresponding to the distance of the dies from the roller, so that this part of the strip may be flush with the surface of the roller. The revolution of said roller results in'drawing the strip Y forward and winding it edgewise in the groove 0. The punch and die D and D are so formed and arranged as to cut away the metal from one'edge of the strip Y for a considerable distance at each stroke. Punch and die E and E are narrower and cut the metal away for a much shorter distance, so that by their operation points may be left closely adjoining each other on the edge of the strip Y. The object of this construction is to save time by means of the wider punch and die D D when it is desired to narrow the strip continuously for a considerable distance.

In order to govern the operation of the respective punches D and E the .feeler-point T, which governs the narrow'punch E is made in theform of a cylindrical pin, arranged to enter the circular perforations U in the patternroller. The feeler-point T, which governs the punch D, consists of a thin plate of metal resting upon the patternroller and arranged to enter slots U in said roller. Said slots are narrower than the holes U and feeler-point T so that feeler-point T cannot enter said slots. The perforations U U are previously formed in the pattern-roller, being arranged to produce a music -roller adapted to play a certain tune. \Vhen it is desired to prepare rollers for another tune, the pattern-roller may be removed and another substituted.

I will here remark that the pattern-roller.

is arranged with slots U in such positions that they cause the die D to'na-rrow the strip Y after the music-roller is wound full, so as to prepare that portion which passes the dies after filling the music-roller, narrowing it, ready for beginninga new music-roller. V

The spiral groove 0' is cut or sawed in the music-roller throughout its entire length; but the music-points do not extend so far, there being a blank space at each end. The object of this is to avoid bending the music-points sidewise and splitting the thin wood between the last turn of the spiral groove and the end of the roller. The narrowed end of the stripv Y is, however, wound in this portion of the groove and extends beyond .it, being nailed or otherwise secured to the end of the roller.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the indentations upon the strip Y are formed in accordance with the previouslyprepared pattern L and immediately thereafter wound upon the music-roller. This mode of operation obviates the difficulty that would exist if the strip were wholly prepared and then wound upon the roller-namely, that very slight differences in the diameters of the m usic-rollers would result in improperly placing the music-points, since, though several of them may be intended to play at once, they may be widely separated bythe strip Y. By winding the strip upon the roller immediately after indenting said strip any material variation in the positions of the music-points is prevented.

I will further remark that music-rollers of different diameters may be prepared by the improved machine above described without altering the machine, pattern-rollers properly prepared being of course introduced.

For convenience in returning tne frame H 'to its place of beginning, after a roller has been prepared, the nut G may be made in two parts, so that it may be opened and the shaft G moved longitudena-lly through said nut.

That part of the strip Y passing over the dies D E may be led through a guide of any well-known form in order to prevent lateral motion of the strip, and also to hold said strip down upon the dies and bed-plate.

Having fully described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A machine for preparing music-rollers organized with a revoluble perforated patternroller, feeler-points arrangd to engage with the perforations in that pattern-roller, and reciprocating punches governed in their motions by those feelers and arranged to indent one edge of a strip of thin metal, all cons'tructed and arranged to operate upon a music-roller, which latter is adapted to be revolved synchronously with the pattern-roller and to Wind the indented metallic strip upon that music-roller, substantially as described.

2. In a machine forpreparing music-rollers, the combination, substantially as and for the purposes set forth, of a revolubie patternroller, circular perforations U in the surface of that pattern-roller, a cylindrical feelerpoint T arranged to engage those perforations, slots U, formed in the surface of the pattern-roller, and feeler T arranged to en.- ter those slots, said slots being narrower than the diameter of the cylindrical feeler-point T so that feeler-point T cannot enter said slots. 7

3. In a machine for preparing m usic-rollers, the combination, substantially as described, of the following elements: a revoluble pattern roller, circular perforations in the surface of that pattern-roller, a cylindrical feelerpoint arranged to engage those perforations, V

a small punch governed in its operation by that feeler-point and arranged to cut away a short notch from one edge of a strip of thin metal, means, substantially as set forth, for connecting said feeler-point and small punch, slots U, formed in the surface of the patternroller, a feeler arranged to engage with those slot-s, a larger punch governed in its operation by that feeler and arranged to cut away along notch from the edge f said strip of metal, and means, substantially as set forth, for connecting said feeler and larger punch.

4. The combination, substantially as and for the purposes described, of a continuouslyrevoluble perforated pattern -roller, feelers arranged to press upon that pattern-roller and to enter the perforations therein, and a pivoted frame arranged to support the pattern-roller and to be oscillated bythe continuous revolution of the pattern-roller when a feeler engages with a perforation in that" roller.

5. The combination, substantially as and for the purposes described, of a continuouslyrevoluble perforated pattern-roller, feelers arranged to press upon that pattern-roller and to enter the perforations therein, a pivoted frame arranged to supportthe patternroller and to be oscillated by the continuous revolution of the pattern-roller when a feeler engages with a perforation in that roller, and a weight attached to the pivoted frame for returning that frame to its normal position when the feeler is disengaged from the perforation in the pattern-roller.

6. The combination, substantially as and for the purposes described, of the shaft G, 0scillating frame H, pivoted on that shaft, pattern-roller L, journaled in that frame and revolved synchronously with shaft G, screw G and nut G said .arts bein arran 'ed so that the pattern-roller is moved longitudinally during its revolution.

HENRY B. MORRIS;

Witnesses:

EDMUND MORRIS, G. W. NICHOLAS. 

